Holly Parrish

Before launching PH Solutions, Holly spent 15 years working as a full-time fundraising professional. Ten of those years were spent with the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation until she decided to step back from full-time work & focus on her growing family. Still wanting to pursue a career in professional fundraising, she started PH Solutions along with her late business partner Paula Higgins. They saw the ongoing frustration of their non-profit colleagues – constantly trying to do more with less, seeing staff come and go, and struggling to raise funds to support their services. PH Solutions gives small to medium sized non-profits a local resource to help elevate their fundraising programs.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? I wanted a professional life that allowed me to have a better work/life balance. It was important to me to have quality time with my children while they were young. I wanted the freedom to set my own schedule and the ability to create my own professional methods.

Goals: Grow my network of consulting partners – those who work directly for us & those who contract with us to assist them in their own consulting projects.

Three Wishes: A housekeeper, a secretary and a babysitter… then I might actually get ahead of my work for a second!

Who are your clients? Currently 17 organizations, from small social service organizations to larger universities to unique social enterprises.

Why Lakeland? Florida Southern!! FSC brought me to Lakeland, and I never left!

Favorite things to do in Lakeland? Live theatre events on Lake Mirror & catching up with friends over coffee.

What is Lakeland missing? Public investment in the arts. We have amazing arts organizations here in Lakeland, yet these organizations continually struggle to survive in part because they must rely so much on philanthropy to meet revenue needs. When the arts thrive, the community thrives.

How has Catapult helped you? Where should I start? Catapult has been my work family – I launched my business at Catapult with friends and fellow entrepreneurs, and I also celebrated the life of my business partner Paula at Catapult when she suddenly died – just as we started gaining momentum.Catapult, and everyone who is part of it…from staff to our mentors to our misfit family of go-getters has played a part in lifting me up and making my business a success.

Secret Sauce? Trusting in my instincts and staying grounded in my motivation for this work. I truly believe in the power of the non-profit sector and the vital role these organizations play in our community.